[kleiba]

What problem? I've been using Linux with Firefox for at least 15 years, and I've never thought this to be a problem.

Linux is not an operating system for the unwashed masses, it's a specialist operating system for more technical oriented folks. It's less polished in many areas and requires some jumping through hoops at times as we all know. In return, you get a vastly better user experience if you're the right kind of user.

Whenever I am placed in front of a standard Windows install, I'm shaking my head in astonishment and wonder how people put up with that. Yet, if I were a standard Windows user placed in front of a linux machine, I'd probably do the same.

We're just a different species of users. If linux users cared as much about browser specifities as they did about other things, I'm sure they would already be fixed. But the truth is: as a long-time linux user I can state that Firefox is just fine. Really, it is. For me. And probably for many other happy linux users too.

Does that mean if couldn't be improved? Of course not. But show me the software for which you couldn't say the same. Okay, maybe Emacs. Just kidding.

[ranguna]

Wouldn't things be better if we don't gate keep Linux?

I remember Linus and Luke from Linus tech tips on YouTube making a series about the Linux desktop, in the end they both had a bunch of very constructive criticism, things that the "more technical oriented folk" would just brush off as minimal issues that can be dealt with it at the end of the backlog. But those issues are actually quite important, and if there's a chance that Linux can be open to more people, then let's do what we can to make that chance a reality.

[kleiba]

It really depends on what your ultimate goals are with Linux. Let's not forget that today, it's mostly a server OS first and a desktop OS second.

[smitty1e]

The Famous Article points out that Mozilla is kept afloat by Google's search deal.

Fans of the browser (starting with the guy in my mirror) need to start subscribing to services like their VPN or something to give Mozilla a better financial footing.

[hilios]

Thing is their VPN isn't great on Linux either (or in general for tech savvy users). Needing a VPN and wanting to support Mozilla I did subscribe to their service, only to find you needed a special program to use their VPN, which you'll have to build yourself if you're using any distribution other than Ubuntu. If you manage to build it you'll find their selection of servers is more restricted than Mullvad's own offerings. At least their 30-day money back guarantee is working.

[mardifoufs]

One of the big issues imo is that it is often packaged by maintainers who sometimes just choose to deactivate or activate flags or features at will. It doesn't happen very often, but it sure is annoying to debug considering you basically have a "custom" build of the software.